There is an article in the October Liahona that has stirred many thoughts. Elder Lynn G. Robbins writes about virtues. He explains that the Lord "counseleth...in justice, and in great mercy." Elder Robbins continues: "These two virtues are not opposites but complementary." Elder Robbins provides a list of complementary virtues, and these are so great!

• Justice and mercy

• Agency and responsibility

• Faith and works

• Religious/covenant keeping (outward) and spiritual/discipleship (inward)

• Uniformity and flexibility

• Unity and diversity

• Letter of the law and spirit of the law

• Reverence/solemnity and joy/sociality

• Boldness and meekness

• Valor and discretion

• Discipline and lovingkindness

• Fairness for all and uncompromising

• Gentleness and firmness

• “Let your light so shine before men” (Matthew 5:16) and not “aspir[ing] to the honors of men” (Doctrine and Covenants 121:35)

I have been studying the attribute of diligence and here are a few things I have learned:

In Preach My Gospel, diligence is defined as steady, consistent, earnest and energetic effort in doing the Lord's work.

Diligence is one of the most important attributes.

When someone is diligent, they have the ability to do good things over and over.

No matter if it is inconvenient or hard, a diligent person prays for strength and continues. A diligent person carries on even if they don't feel like it or are tired.

Someone who is diligent stays focused and finds ways to diminish distractions.

Synonyms of diligent are: persistent, determined, hard-working, doing something with care, patient, and persevering.

Antonyms of diligent are: slothful, idle, unwise, impatient, lacking effort, lacking a plan, unsteady, and inconsistent.

Alma 7:23--Be diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times.

D&C 107:99,100--Let every man learn his duty and act in all diligence.

D&C 58: 27--Men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause and do many things of their own free will and bring to pass much righteousness. For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. 

I want my piano students to practice five or six days a week. I would rather have them practice thirty minutes a day over a period of days than three hours in one day. Why? Because there is something about the daily repetition that gets in their head. After they spend time at the piano, it is like their mind continues to work on the piece throughout the day and while they sleep, and then they hit it again the next day. Daily practice is very powerful.

Consider this--Is it better to have daily spiritual habits or save them all for one day a week and do them all then? Daily spiritual habits bring spiritual strength, power, and confidence, and they also lead to an increase in the Spirit.

Diligence is a moral muscle in that it can be strengthened.  It is a skill that can be learned.

How does one improve their diligence? It is best if I make a plan and decide on a small daily task that I would like to do, and then follow through and do it.

Diligence in living the gospel is an expression of one's love for the Lord and His work.

God has reserved blessings for those who are diligent. "Because of your diligence, ye shall pluck the fruit which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet" (Alma 32:42). "Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love."

These two books provided tools to help me calm my mind, and I liked them both.

Meditation is about leaving behind the idea that we are doing it perfectly. Simply relax into what is. We don’t need to do anything. We rest in the space between our thoughts and emotions, between our aches and pains and worries. There is
incredible wisdom to this open, present space (pgs. 55, 56).

In meditation, you are moving close and closer to yourself, and you begin to understand yourself so much more clearly.  With regular practice, you see what you do over and over and over again. You see that you replay the same tapes over and over and over in your mind.  Meditation helps us to clearly see ourselves and the habitual patterns that limit our life. You begin to see your opinions clearly.  You see your judgments.  You see your defense mechanisms.  Meditation deepens your understanding of yourself (pg. 8). 

Meditation teaches us how to let go. You train again and again in not making things such a big deal. Generally speaking, the human species does make things a very big deal.  Our problems are a big deal for us.  So we need to make space for an attitude of honoring things completely and at the same time not making them a big deal. We hold a sense of respect toward all things, along with the ability to let go (pg. 153).

 

Anxiety is often the consequence of perceived chaos.  If we sense we are victims of unseen, turbulent, random forces, we are troubled. Perceived control creates calm.  Lack of control gives birth to fear. Rather than seeking total control, relinquish it.  We can’t take control, because control is not ours to take. You can’t run the world, but you can entrust it to God (pgs. 22-24).

There are many things in life over which you have no choice.  But the greatest activity of life is well within your dominion.  You can choose what you think about. You can be the air traffic controller of your mental airport.  You occupy the control tower and can direct the mental traffic of your world. Thoughts circle above, coming and going. If one of them lands, it is because you gave it permission.  If it leaves, it is because you directed it to do so. You can select your thought pattern. Thoughts have consequences (pg. 121).